Jesus and the Uncertainty of Obedience Matthew 26:36-46
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CH1APTER The Desperate Father and the Uncertainty of Faith Mark 9:14-29 INTRODUCTION Uncertainty is a part of life. We learn fairly quickly that we are not in control of everything, and often our attempts to close the gap between certainty and mystery fall short. This is sometimes even true in the Christian faith. The man’s admission and plea to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” is an honest assessment of our human condition. We trust and we are skeptical; we have confidence and we hesitate. Is it wrong to doubt? What is the relationship between faith and doubt? GATHERING (5 Minutes) As a class, recite together the words of the hymn “When Our Confidence is Shaken” by Fred Pratt Green, which is also found in the hymnal on page 505: When our confidence is shaken in beliefs we thought secure, when the spirit in its sickness seeks but cannot find a cure, God is active in the tensions of a faith not yet mature. Have members of the class share aloud what they hope to gain from this Lenten series. What are you longing for and searching for this Lent? VIDEO SEGMENT (5 Minutes) Video segment by the Rev. Magrey deVega VIDEO DISCUSSION QUESTION (5 Minutes) As a group, discuss the following question in response to the video: “When has there been a time in your life when your confidence was shaken, or you had a belief that turned out to be less secure than you first thought?” REFLECTIONS ON THE READING (25 Minutes) Have someone in the class read aloud the passage from Mark 9:14-29. As a class, discuss the following questions located at the end of the chapter: 1) Have you or a loved one ever experienced something akin to the dark emotional or mental state of this young boy? What kind of support and resources are helpful amid such a crisis? 2) When has doubt or suffering ever challenged your beliefs and assumptions about the Christian faith? How did those doubts feel contradictory to your beliefs? In what ways might they even have eventually strengthened your convictions? 3) Read Thomas Merton’s prayer again. What parts do you resonate with? What parts are helpful to you? How does the knowledge that even a formidable writer and teacher like Merton bring comfort to you? OPTION 1: EMBRACING THE UNCERTAIN (10 Minutes) Invite the class to spend individual time writing a version of Merton’s prayer in their own words. They might even journal the specific nature of your doubts, that in some way connect to the concerns of this father for his son. Have them write out all the ways that you are saying, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Have them share their version with another person in the class. OPTION 2: DISCUSSION OF DAILY DEVOTIONAL READINGS (10 Minutes) If members of the class are also reading the corresponding daily devotional material, spend some time as a class discussing any key learnings or insights they gained from the readings. THE JOURNEY AHEAD (5 Minutes) Invite the class to break up into groups of two or three, and share in that group one key learning they have received from today’s session, and one practical application they will incorporate into their life during the upcoming week. PRAYER (5 Minutes) Have the class share joys and prayer concerns, and invite them to be in prayer for each other over the upcoming week. Invite someone to close in praying the following prayer, or have the class share it in unison: God, thank you for grounding me with confidence and guiding me through doubt. I offer you my very best intentions to follow you, grateful for your grace and forgiveness when I falter and fall short. I believe; help my unbelief. Amen. CH2APTER Peter and the Uncertainty of Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-22 INTRODUCTION It should be no surprise to us that we have broken relationships. No human is perfect, and therefore no relationship is immune to misunderstanding, conflict, and even harm. The Bible is filled with plenty of examples of relationships that have gone sour, and the whole story of salvation is one big story of a broken relationship between God and humanity. Fortunately, brokenness is not the last word, in God’s eyes. Forgiveness is God’s gift to us in Christ, that enables us to get right with God, and right with each other. GATHERING (5 Minutes) Have the class recite together the words of the hymn “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” by Rosamond Herkiots, which is also found in the hymnal on page 390: 'Forgive our sins as we forgive,' you taught us, Lord, to pray, but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say. How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart, that broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart? Have members of the class share aloud what words or phrases from that hymn resonate with them, and why. VIDEO SEGMENT (5 Minutes) Video segment by the Rev. Magrey deVega VIDEO DISCUSSION QUESTION (5 Minutes) As a group, discuss the following question in response to the video: “When has there been a time in your life when it has been difficult for you to forgive someone for something they have done to you? Or, when has there been a time when you have had a hard time forgiving yourself?” REFLECTIONS ON THE READING (25 Minutes) Have someone in the class read aloud the passage from Matthew 18:21-22. As a class, discuss the following questions located at the end of the chapter: 1) What difference does it make for you to see the act of forgiveness and not just a private act between two people, but a participation in God’s grand act of restoring all of broken creation? 2) Think about times in your life when it was difficult to forgive a wrong that has been done to you. What made forgiveness hard? In what ways was it difficult to forgive, not just because of what someone else was doing to you, but because of your own reluctance, inability, or misunderstanding? 3) Now think about the times when you have caused harm to someone else. Have you fully sought forgiveness for what you did? What would help in repairing that relationship with that person? 4) Finally, think about how you need to forgive yourself. What is required for you to experience the grace and mercy of God, to help you move past your guilt and shame, and claim the life of peace that God wants for you? OPTION 1: EMBRACING THE UNCERTAIN (10 Minutes) As a class, share a list of any local or global stories, either present or in the past, that describe the power of forgiveness. Next, spend a few minutes in silent prayer, inviting each person to make a list of all the ways they have experienced God’s forgiveness in their lives. Then, think about the steps they need to take today, and over upcoming days, to forgive and be forgiven by someone else. OPTION 2: DISCUSSION OF DAILY DEVOTIONAL READINGS (10 Minutes) If members of the class are also reading the corresponding daily devotional material, spend some time as a class discussing any key learnings or insights they gained from the readings. THE JOURNEY AHEAD (5 Minutes) Invite the class to break up into groups of two or three, and share in that group one key learning they have received from today’s session, and one practical application they will incorporate into their life during the upcoming week. PRAYER (5 Minutes) Have the class share joys and prayer concerns, and invite them to be in prayer for each other over the upcoming week. Invite someone to close in praying the following prayer, or have the class share it in unison: Gracious God, thank you for forgiving me of my sins. Empower me to follow the example you set for us in Jesus, that I might both forgive others and seek forgiveness. Help me to participate in your work to reconcile the world. Amen. CH3APTER The Crowd and the Uncertainty of Worry Luke 12:1-34 INTRODUCTION Worry is not an intrinsically bad thing. We are born with an innate instinct to perceive threats, respond accordingly, and do what is necessary to survive. But it is very easy for worry to become debilitating, and become a central feature to our daily life. This kind of life is antithetical to the free, joyous, and loving existence that God intends. And today’s scripture reading is very clear: God’s presence and provision in our lives mitigates the need for severe worry. GATHERING (5 Minutes) Have the class recite together the words of the song “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Civilla D. Martin: Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Have members of the class share aloud what words or phrases from that hymn resonate with them, as well as any memories or personal significance they associate with the song. VIDEO SEGMENT (5 Minutes) Video segment by the Rev. Magrey deVega VIDEO DISCUSSION QUESTION (5 Minutes) As a group, discuss the following question in response to the video: “Is there a difference between worrying for a good, rational reason, and worrying for a debilitating, irrational reason? When have there been times when you have demonstrated either of these kinds of worries?” REFLECTIONS ON THE READING (25 Minutes) Have someone in the class read aloud the passage from Luke 12:1-34.